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NRC Handelsblad is reporting that container traffic in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, is down 15% and overall shipping traffic down 13.4%. The downturn is expected to continue through the remainder of the year.

This is, or course, reflective of the overall downturn in shipping. The Baltic Dry Index, a measure of the cost of shipping goods, is down to a quarter of what it was a year ago.

nrc.nl – International – Rotterdam port turnover drops sharply: “”

According to media reports, a car accident in Apeldoorn has left at least two dead and at least dozen injured. NRC Handelsblad cites to eyewitness accounts that the driver of the car “‘clearly intended’ to ram the busy carrying the royal family.”

You can follow the events on Twitter, NRC Handelsblad [English], or de Volkskrant [Nederlands].

Apparently, your location determines how you party in Holland. Also a surprise: going out in my old home of Rotterdam means spending more. I always went out for 2-for-1 night at Concordia, so I don’t know anything about spending big.

[From Amsterdamned if you do, Rotterdamned if you don't - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English]

Colonial Williamsburg has undertaken a new ad campaign to try and attract visitors. “I am Williamsburg.” It’s a very inspirational campaign, making an attempt to connect the visitor to the location.

The problem is, it has been done before.

The city of Amsterdam has already marketed this idea that “I am Amsterdam” for some time. As you can see from the photo above, they have gone to great lengths to market this concept. It is an internationally recognized brand immediately recognizable around the world. The ad firm that stole this idea should be exposed for the plagiarist that it is.

To plan your visit to amsterdam, visit www.iamsterdam.nl. To plan your visit to Williamsburg, well, you can go somewhere else instead. Perhaps Holland; it’s lovely.

I didn’t take a photo of the “I AMsterdam” sculpture, so I had to go find one on flickr.com. Image courtesy show³.

APM’s Marketplace aired a story yesterday on the Dutch’s new war against the water. The players are the same: overflowing rivers threatening Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and other below-sea-level cities.

This time, the enemy is shifting climate patterns and increasing water runoff.

The solution: floods.

[From Marketplace: Dutch plan for flooding: Higher ground]

A bit more complex than sticking your finger into the dike.

[From Dutch defences hold firm - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English]

In what is perhaps the most important advance towards a new reform treaty for the European Union, the Dutch cabinet in the Hague today announced that it will not hold a new referendum on the upcoming EU reform treaty.

For those who may not remember, the first attempt at a constitution for the EU was killed by the Dutch people, who overwhelmingly voted against the new treaty in 2005.

The move also puts a damper on UK efforts to hold a similar referendum, a vote likely to be against acceptance of the new treaty.

[From nrc.nl - Europa - Kabinet: geen nieuw referendum over EU]
[English language report from BBC News - Dutch cabinet rules out EU vote]

Happy Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag)! I’m off to Amsterdam to celebrate. I’ll be back tonight with photos.